Tile forming machine



y 12, 1955 J. A. BRYANT TILE FORMING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 21, 1952 Josqak d? 22? W ffm y 12, 1955 J. A. BRYANT 2,712,680

TILE FORMING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jm/ezfior d'osaph Aggie??? Mor% United States Patent T 2,712,680 TILE FORMING MACHINE Joseph Albert Bryant, Lehigh, Iowa Application January 21, 1952, Serial No. 267,470 4 Claims. (Cl. 25-39) This invention relates generally to tile forming machines and in particular to a forming machine for making elbow tile.

Elbow tile now commonly used in water and sewage systems is generally formed with about a ninety degree bend having a socket portion at one end. Generally in the forming of elbows of this type by machines,.an appreciable length of the elbow is required to obtain the ninety degree angle bend due to the construction of the forming dies. In the installation of the elbow, therefore, in a pipe system this length is oftentimes objectionable because of the additional space required in the making of a ninety degree angle connection. As a result, where short length ninety degree connections are required, the elbows for this purpose are usually made by hand whereby to appreciably increase the cost thereof.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved forming machine for elbow tile.

A further object of this invention is to provide an elbow forming machine that is capable of making an elbow having a ninety degree turn within an overall length commensurate with that of hand formed elbow tile.

Another object of this invention is to provide a forming die for elbows of a construction such that short elbows can be manufactured on a production basis as economically as long elbows.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will appear from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevational view of an elbow forming machine embodying the die unit of this invention, with certain parts being removed and other parts being shown in section for the purpose of clarity;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view as seen substantially along the line 22 in Fig. 1, showing the assembly relation of the outer die shell and inner die member of the forming unit;

Figs. 3 and 4 are transverse sectional views taken along the lines 33 and 4-4, respectively, in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the elbow forming die unit of this invention; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a holding hook for the die unit.

With reference to the drawings the die unit of this invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 in assembly relation with an elbow forming machine having an upright clay pot or cylinder 10 provided with an associated mud head or piston 11. Secured from the lower end 12 of the cylinder 1% is an outer die shell 13 of a flared shape converging inwardly toward its lower end and terminating in a tubular outlet portion 14. Extended transversely across the upper end of the outer die shell 13 is a spider member 16 of an open construction having supported therefrom at a centrally located position a threaded stem 17 for threadably engaging a sleeve or core 18. The lower end 19 (Fig. 2) of the core 18 projects within the outlet portion 14 in a concentrically spaced relation therewith.

2,7l2fi8il Patented July 12, 1955 Partially received within the lower end of the outlet portion 14 is an inner die member, designated generally as 21, which is of an irregular tubular construction integrally formed with a central body section 22 terminating at its upper end in an upright annular wall or core portion 23 of a reduced diameter, and at its lower end in a laterally extended flange 24 of an enlarged diameter. The diameter of the annular wall 23 corresponds to the diameter of the core 13 so that when the inner die member 21 is extended within the outlet portion 14, in a tile forming relation with the outer die shell 13, the top side of the wall 23 engages the lower end 19 of the core 18 so as to constitute a core extension for the core.

The inner die member 21 is assembled as an integral unit with a removable lower tubular extension 26 for the outlet portion 14 of the die shell 13. This extension 26, for the outlet die shell 13 (Figs. 2 and 5) is of an internal diameter at its lower end 27 to snugly receive therein the annular flange 24 of the inner die member 21, and is of an axial length less than the axial length of the inner die member 21. Thus, with the flange 24 located within the lower end 27 of the outer die shell extension 26 to a position such that the lower face 28 of the inner die member 21 is flush with or in the plane of the lower face 29 of the extension 26, the extension 26 is concentrically mounted about the inner die member 21 in a spaced relation with the center section 22 thereof, and the annular wall 23 of the inner die member 21 is projected upwardly beyond the upper face 31 of the extension 26. This assembly relation of the inner die member 21 and outer die shell extension 26 is rigidly maintained by welding the flange 24 of the inner die member 21 to the lower end 27 of the extension 26, so that the outer die shell extension 26 is integral with the inner die member 21.

For releasably interlocking the extension 26 with the outlet portion 14 of the outer die shell 13, there are provided means including upright locking pins 32 (Figs. 1 and 5) spaced equally about the extension 26, with four pins 32 being illustrated. These pins 32 are carried in bosses 33 and with the boss indicated as 33a being of a longer angular length that the remaining three bosses 33 for a purpose to later appear. Mounting of the pins 32 within the bosses 33 and 33a is such that the pins project upwardly beyond the top face 31 of the extension 26.

When the inner die member 21 is in its tile forming position shown in Fig. 1, wherein the annular wall 23 is in abutting engagement with the lower end 19 of the core 18, the pins 32 are received within corresponding sockets 34 (Figs. 1 and 5) on the outlet portion 14.

A further interlocking engagement of the extension 26 with the outlet portion 14 is obtained by the provision of an annular upright rib 36 (Figs. 2 and 5) formed in the top face 31 of the extension 26 for reception within an annular groove 37 formed in the bottom face 38 of the outlet portion 14. This reception of the rib 36 within the groove 37 takes place when the inner die member 21 is moved into a tile forming relation wtih the outer die shell 13.

The inner die member 21, with the extension 26 as sembled as a unit therewith, is supported for movement into and out of its tile forming relation wtih the outer die shell 13 by means including a cross-head unit, indicated generally as 39, which is actuated for up and down movement by suitable means (not shown) and adapted to be locked against downward movement when the inner die member 21 is in its tile forming position relative to the outer die shell 13.

The cross-head unit 39 carries an upright centering post or shaft 41 (Fig. 2) having a laterally extended flange bearing 42 at its lower end. A locking member, indicated generally as 43 (Figs. 2 and 5) includes a tubular body thereof terminates within member 48 is formedwith ing.

member 44 integrally formed with a pair of oppositely arranged radially extended bearing members 46,, the top sides of which are in a common of the tubular body member 44. The locking 'rn'ember 43 is rotatably supported on the post 41 with its lower end 47 in bearing support on the bearing flange 42, and the post 41 being of a length such that the upper end the confines of the axial dimension of the tubular body member 44.

Carried on the top side of the tubular body member 44 is a flat disc member 48 (Figs. 2 and 5) of a size to be guidably received within the lower end of the center section 22 of the inner die member 21, to a position such that the flange 24 on the inner die member 21 is ridable on the radial bearing members 46'. The guide or disc a center" threaded opening 51 for threadably receiving a pivot or bolt member 52 which extends from a fiat strap or bar member 53 (Figs. 2 and 4) extended transversely of, and mounted within the center section 22 of the inner die'member 21.

It is seen, therefore, that the locking member 43 is maintained in assembly relation with, and is rotatable relative to, the inner die memebr 21 and extension 26, by virtue of the guided support of the disc 48 within the center section 22, and the connection of the strap member 53 with the disc' 48 by the bolt or the pivot pin 52. Rotation of the locking member 43 relative to the die member 21 and extension 26, as a unit, is'had by a manually actuated handle lever 54 which extends radially from and is secured to The unit assembly of the inner die member 21 and extension 26 (Figs. 1 and 2) is in a position below the outlet portion 14 so that on upward movement of such unit, on operation of the cross-head 39, the annular wall 23 of the inner die member 21 is moved into abutting engagement with the lower end 19 of the core 18, concurrently with the interlocking engagement of the extension 26 with the outlet portion 14 through the corresponding pins 32 and sockets 34 and the reception of the annular rib 36 within the groove 37, it being understood that the outlet portion 14 is thus closed by the flange 24 on the inner die member 21.

The inner die member 21 is releaseably locked in a tile forming position with the outer die shell 13 by manipulating the lever 54 so as to rotate the locking member 43 relative to the inner die member 21 to a position in which the outer ends of the radial bearing members 46 are received within a pair of hook members (Figs. 2, 4 and 6) arranged at opposite sides of the'outlet portion 14. a This engagement of the radial bearing members 46 with the hooks 55 positively locks the inner die member 21 and extension 26, as a unit, against movement downwardly or away from the outer die shell 13.

The hooks 55 (Figs. 2, 3 and 5) are guideably supported for up and down movement in guideways provided in boss members projected laterally fromyand integrally formed with the outlet portion 14, at positions above the sockets 34. Each hook 55, adjacent the upper end of its respective shank portion 56 (Figs. 2 and 6') has a pair of elongated openings 57 for receiving screws 58 which are threadable within a corresponding boss 65 Vertical adjustment of a hook member 55, relative to the outlet portion 14, is thus obtained by merely loosening the screws 58 and then moving the hook 55 within'adjus'table limits defined by the length of the openings 57. Downwardmovement of the hooks tions therefore is maintained by set screws 59 threadable within inwardly extended lateral projections 61 formed at the upper ends of the hook shank portions 56. The projections 61 (Figs. 2 and 3) are located above the boss members 65 for abutting engagement with the top surfaces thereof.

This verticaliadjustment of the hooks 55 is made relative to an adjusted position of the core 18 on the threaded plane with the top side the tubular member 44, as by weldr 55 out of adjusted pos'i .rib 36 is received Within the 4 stem 17 to providefor the concurrent engagement of the inner die member 21 with the core 18 when the annular annular groove 37.

With the inner die member 21 and extension 26 rotatable as a unit relative to appreciated that on downward movement of the crosshead 39 such unit assembly can be moved out of a position providing for the reception. of thepins 32 within their corresponding sockets 34. To assure thereception of the pins 32 within the sockets 34,- on upward movement of the cross-head 39, an upright guide rod 64 (Figs. 1 and, 2) has its upper-end threadabty received within a threaded opening 66 (Fig. 5) formed in a boss 65 to one side of the guideway 60 therein. From its upper end, the guide rod 64 is extended downwardly through an opening 67 formed inthe boss 33:: on the extension 26. As a resuit, the die member 21 and outer die shell extension 26, during vertical movement thereof are held against rotation relative to the locking member; 43 by virtue of the stop action of the guide rod 64.

in forming of elbow tile, and assuming the inner die member 21 to be in it's tile formingposition with the outer die shell 13, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, clay is forced from the cylinder 10 by the piston 11 within the space 71 to form the socket portion of the elbow. The inner die member 21 and extension 26, are then lowered as a unit, downwardly away from the outer die shell 13 and the downward movement of the piston 1%) continued so as to extrude clay through the space 72 formed between the outlet portion 14 and the core 18. During this last mentioned extrusion, within the space 71, is manually gripped and the turn in the elbow is formed by bending the tile upwardly as it passes outwardly from the outlet portion1'4. it is seen, therefore,'that the curvature of the ninety degree turn is determined by the clearance necessary to turn or bend the tile about the lower face 38 of the outlet 14.

By virtue of the downward movement of the extension 26 from the outer die shell 13, as a unit with the inner die member 21, it is seen, from a consideration of Fig. 2, that the socket portion of the tile formed within the space 71 need be moved downwardly from the outlet portion 14 only a distance corresponding to the vertical or axial length of the upright annular wall 23 to provide sutiicient clearance for bending of the outlet portion 14. Further, by virtue of the extension 26 being movable as a unit with the inner die member 21, it is readily apparent that this bending action can take place in any direction radially from the outlet portion 14, so long asthe formed tile is in a clearance relation with the guide rod 64. As a result of this die construction, therefore, a sharp bend in the formed elbow is obtained with the same: facility as is afforded in the manufacture of elbows having a longer length and a greater bending radius.

To further facilitate a sharp bending of the tile, provi sion is made for controlling 19 of the core 18 by means including a stationary horizontally-positioned fiat ring member 73 (Figs. l and 2) arranged within and extended transversely of the outer die shell 13 above the outlet portion 14. Ridable in bearing engagement: on the top 73, is a horizontally movable flat ring member 74. Ex-

' tended radialiyin opposite direction from the movable ring 74 are an adjusting rod 76 and an actuating rod '77. The adjustment rod 76 extends'outwardlyfrom the outer die: shell 13- through a packing unit 78 and carries at its outer end an adjustment nut 79 for limiting movement of the ring 74 in one direction. The actuating rod 77"p'r'o jects outwardly from the outer die shell 17 through a packingunit 81 and has its outer end 82'suitabl'y connected to a piston rod 83 which forms art or a fluid actuated pistona'nd cylinder assembly, the cylinder of which is indicated at84, Movement" of the piston rod 83, therethe guide disc 48 it will be i a 11 in the cylinder,

the socket formed the tile around the lower face 38" the flow about the lower end side of the stationary ring member fore, efiects a movement of the movable ring 74 transversely of the outer die shell 13.

Adjustment of the movable ring 74 provides for a heavier How of clay to one side of the core 18, relative to the other side thereof, and with such heavier flow taking place at what might be termed the larger or outer bend in the elbow tile, whereby a sharper bend in the tile is facilitated.

The movable ring 74 can be adjusted concurrently with the extrusion of the tile from the space 72 which is located about the lower end 19 of the core 18, so that reversed bends in a single length of tile can be made whereby to form trap tile of various shapes such as running, P and S trap tiles. The term elbow tile as used herein defines a tile having one or more elbow Although the invention has been to a preferred embodiment thereof that it is not to be so limited since changes can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A forming machine for making elbow tile including an upright outer die shell having a tubular outlet portion, a movable inner die member movable axially relative to described with respect it is to be understood said outlet portion into and out of a tile forming position,

a tubular outer die shell extension integral with said inner die member for axial movement therewith as a unit, said outer die shell extension being in abutting engagement with said outlet portion when said inner die member is in a tile forming position, and means for releasably locking said inner die member in said tile forming position against axial movement.

2. A forming machine for making elbow tile including an outer die shell having an outlet portion of a tubular shape, a core supported in a concentrically spaced relation within said outlet portion, a movable inner die member movable axially relative to said outlet portion having a core portion, a tubular outer die shell extension integral with said inner die member for axial movement therewith as a unit, said core portion being arranged relative to said bends formed therein.

core, and said tubular outer die shell extension being arranged relative to said outlet portion, so as to constitute, respectively, extensions for said core and outlet portion when said inner die member is axially moved into a tile forming position with said outer die shell, and means for releasably holding said inner die member in said tile forming position against axial movement.

3. A forming machine for making elbow tile including an upright outer die shell having a tubular outlet, an inner die member axially movable relative to said outlet into and out of a tile forming position, a tubular outer die shell extension rigid on said inner die member and arranged relative to said outlet so as to constitute an extension therefor when said inner die member is in a tile forming position, coacting portions on said outlet and said tubular outer die shell extension for sealing the adjoining surfaces therebetween, means for guiding said coacting portions into a sealing relation on movement of said inner die member to a tile forming position therefor, and means for releasably locking the inner die member in said tile forming position against axial movement.

4. A forming machine for making elbow tile including an outer die shell having an outlet, an inner die member movable into and out of a tile forming position with said outlet, a tubular outer die shell extension rigid on said inner die member and arranged relative to said outlet so as to constitute an extension therefor when said inner die member is in a tile forming position, means for guiding said inner die member into and out ofsaid tile forming position, and means for releasably locking said inner die member, when in a tile forming position, against movement relative to said outlet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 96,021 Lyth Oct. 19, 1869 427,562 English May 13, 1890 1,651,204 Hibbins Nov. 29, 1927 2,584,669 Bryant Feb. 5, 1952 

